Driving the ice highway, frozen rivers

 Peter called and said he needed to go into Bethel and asked if we would like to drive in with him. We jumped at the chance to see this area from a warm interior....So, we all dressed as though we were going by snowmobile and took a pack with survival gear. If we broke down, we'd be in the same position, stuck out in the cold boonies.

 The ice thickness on the Atmau River varies from 2-5 feet thick, so people say. They know where the thinner sections are. When we approached the mouth of the Johnson River feeding into the Kuskokwim, the tidal influence was obvious. Overflows discolored the snow, and large heaves in the middle of the "road" had us weaving in and around.

 Caribou tracks! Near Napakiak we came across them. Two came out of one willow thicket, crossed the river and moved into the next one. Hunters were saying the herd wasn't far from Bethel, south towards Eek. The weekend before four hunters went out and came back with four caribou. They estimated the herd to be about 300 animals.

Heading into the back of the village of Napakiak. We took their road to avoid a dangerous slough. A lot of upheavals due to the tides. This particular slough is often closed when a warm spell occurs because there is so much water action.

 

Bethel river front comes into view. It took us an hour to get there. On the way home it was a little less. We came across a flock (murder??) of Ravens, at least a hundred of them. They are fascinating, as I'm not yet sure how they survive out here.